The team manager of Kada Stars and Kada Queens, Abubakar Ndana, has attributed the clubs’ impressive performances at the ongoing 2026 Nigeria Hockey Super League to international exposure, team stability and quality coaching.
The tournament, taking place at the National Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, has seen the Kaduna-based men’s and women’s teams emerge among the standout performers with unbeaten starts to their campaigns.
Speaking on Monday, after his teams’ dominant displays, Ndana said recent participation in international competitions had significantly improved the players’ confidence and overall standard.
“Honestly, what is key about this team is exposure. They have been able to get exposure internationally. They just came back from Ghana, where both Kada Stars and Kada Queens won the first West African Hockey Championship,” he said.
According to him, the combination of international experience, a youthful squad that has remained together over time and the contributions of experienced players has helped transform both teams.
“What is key is experience and exposure. Another thing is that they have been playing together, and it is a young side. We have introduced some new players while also relying on the experience of our senior players,” Ndana added.
He also credited the technical expertise of Kada Stars head coach, Abdullahi Babandana, who also serves as the coach of Nigeria’s national hockey team.
“Kada is being coached by the national team coach, Abdullahi Babandana. Technically, he is giving the players everything they need, and that has also contributed to our success,” he said.
Despite the encouraging performances, Ndana identified inadequate sporting infrastructure as one of the biggest challenges confronting hockey development in Nigeria.
He noted that only Yobe, Kaduna and Delta states currently have artificial hockey turfs, making it difficult for many teams that train on grass to adapt during national competitions.
“Generally, the biggest challenge is infrastructure. We only have artificial turfs in Yobe, Kaduna and Delta. We need more of these facilities because playing on grass is completely different from playing on artificial turf.
“When teams that train on grass come to competitions on artificial surfaces, they struggle. More artificial turfs across the country will greatly help the growth of hockey in Nigeria,” he said.
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Kada Queens have enjoyed a flying start to the competition, defeating Southwest 6-0 before recording another convincing 4-0 victory over IGP Babes.
Kada Stars have also maintained a perfect record, opening with a 4-0 win over Southwest, followed by an emphatic 8-0 victory against IGP Flickers before defeating Yobe Desert Rollers 6-0.
Elsewhere in the women’s category, Plateau Queens recorded victories over IGP Babes, Yobe Desert Queens and Edo Queens, while Delta Queens defeated Yobe Desert Queens before settling for a draw against Southwest.
In the men’s division, Police Machine thrashed IGP Flickers 9-1 before defeating Southwest 2-0, while Plateau Tigers registered an emphatic 11-0 victory over Adamawa State after opening their campaign with a draw against Niger Flickers.
The 2026 Nigeria Hockey Super League, which features the country’s top male and female clubs, continues in Abuja until July 5, with teams battling for national honours.
